The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-08-14
HANNA'S FRIGHTFUL ERROR
Correct History ola Blunder That Caused
Goodness Between Two Great Men.
Trifing Things that Show the Progress the
Siamese Are Making in Ciyilization-Hon.
Tim Campbell's Persuasive Powers.
THE MATTER WITH HANNA.

The Dreadful Mistake Made by NIr. Secretary
whitney's Private Secretary.
Bpecial ~ the Indianapolis Journal.
WASHINGTON, Aug. 13-A good story has
Just come to the surface involving Secretary
Whitney and the family of Congressman Ran
dali 1t seems that when Miss Randall
married, last winter, to Mr.. G. G. Lancaster, the
president Of the Maryland Democratic Club, of
Washington, and q gentleman welknown
throughout Maryland Secretary and mrs. Whit
ney received invitations to the wedding. The
Secretary was unable to attend. and Mrs. Whit
ney was not visiting at that time. The Secre-
tary, however, thought he could best discharge
his duty by sending Miss Randall a handsome
present Her father and the Secretary had al
ways been good friends, although the former as
chairman of the appropriations committee, had
blocked many schemes for the increase of our
belittled and infantile navy. This opposition'
however, was not sufficiently strong to break
down the barriers of friendship between the two
men. and Mr.. Randall had received good -sized
slices of government pie in the way of appoint
ments OF his friends or political henchmen to
positions in the civil establishments OF the naval
service. Matters went along swmmingly until
the Lancaster Randall wedding. when en- incl
dent occurred which has greatly strained the re-
1ations Of Mr. Whitney and Mr. Randall.
Mr. Whitney received his invitation to the
wedding and, as is his usual custom in personal
matters called in his private secretary, Mr..
Hanna, and asked him to attend to the matter
of selecting wedding present He gave Hanna
q good sized check and left the selection in his
hands. The latter visited every jewelry store
In town, and although he is q married man and
has the reputation of being au fait in matters OF
this kind, he at his wits end to know what
select for the fair young bride. After cogitat-
tng the matter over for four days he thought 1T
would be excellent idea to call on Miss Ran
dali, explain the predicament in which the Sec
rotary had placed him, and offer the check as
wedding Gift. Miss Randall was not at home,
aud he asked for her mother, who presently ap-
peared, wondering who Mr.. Hanna was. Stating
his errand. before many moments had elapsed he
found who Mrs. Randall was. Hanna was torn
In a thousand shreds. To think of his daring to
insult Randall. And Secretary Whitney, how
could he dare TO offer money to her daughter
mo. sir; il Secretary and Mrs. Whitney could
not find time to selact present, they could keep
their money" ouoth Mrs. Randall The invi-
cation was not sent, sir, with any expectation or
receiving a present, and we do not want pres
ent selected by filtration through his secretary
You can tell Mr. Whitney he has got hold of the
wrong family, sir, and we spurn his check"
With this she was about to leave, when Mr.
Randall, hearing the conversation. came down
stairs. The matter was explained by Hanna,
who begged Mrs. Raddall not to place the blame
on Mr.. Whitney, and assumed it all himself. He
further asked. matter of self protection.
that Mrs. Randvll should not give HIM away"
TO the Secretary, as it would go hard with him
(Hanna), and great public sensation would en-
sue. After much tribulation, abject apologies
and persuasive coaxng Mr.. Randall finally con-
scented to accept present for his daughter
lecred by Mr.. Hanna. and thus avoid the pub
licity of political enlargement with the Sec
rotary of the Navy. Hanna was rejoiced, selected
an appropriate gift and returned to his duties
sadder and wiser man. 1t was close call all
around but the present over which there was so
much contention now adorns the parlor of q
pretty house @ street, where Mr.. and Mrs
Lancaster reside.